INTERVIEW: Earthquake On The Joke Telling Business, Stand-Up Longevity, Dave Chappelle + More

Summary

---

The Breakfast Club: INTERVIEW – Earthquake On The Joke Telling Business, Stand-Up Longevity, Dave Chappelle + More

Podcast: The Breakfast Club (iHeartPodcasts)
Date: October 1, 2025
Host(s): DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, Charlamagne Tha God
Guest: Earthquake

---

Episode Overview

This lively episode features stand-up comedy veteran Earthquake, exploring the heart and hustle of the joke-telling business. The wide-ranging conversation covers stand-up longevity in a changing entertainment industry, Earthquake’s philosophy on being funny, his friendships with major stars (including Dave Chappelle and Kevin Hart), his upcoming sitcom, and reflections on personal transformation and relationships. With trademark humor, Earthquake offers lessons on comedy, loyalty, authenticity, and success.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Earthquake’s Recent Marriage and Personal Growth

• Earthquake’s wedding and why he chose to finally settle down

  • Wanted a big, memorable wedding (“it was my day”), emphasizing long-term partnership over serial dating.
  • Quote: “I've always believed in quality over quantity. Only reason I had quantity, because I didn't have quality.” (04:00)
  • Believes his professional success is built on finding the right partner.
    • Quote: “I was never gonna get the success that I got right now until I found her.” (03:52)

• Advice to listeners:

  • Don’t settle for “Ms. Right Now”—seek quality connections and the right foundation.

The Joke-Telling Business: Stand-Up Comedy According to Earthquake

• New Comedy Special: “Joke Telling Business”

  • Released on Netflix, focused on the core craft of making people laugh, not just delivering commentary or chasing trends.
  • Earthquake’s comedic philosophy:
    • “If you're gonna say you're a comedian and fly that banner, be funny… It's time to be funny.” (05:29)
    • Calls for comedians to “renew their licenses,” constantly proving themselves by continuing to make people laugh.
      • Quote: “Comedians need to get their license renewed. Say you funny.” (05:45)

• Difference between being funny and being a professional

  • Consistency and updating material are keys to professional longevity.
  • Stresses importance of staying “close to the people” for relatable material:
    • Quote: “The shepherd has always must smell like the sheep.” (07:23)
    • Continues performing in everyday places to stay relevant and connected.

• Internet vs. Club Comics

  • While not dismissive of internet comedians, Earthquake insists on the irreplaceable value of live performance:
    • “You cannot escape from hitting that stage, getting on there, putting that work in.” (07:05)

• On offering feedback to other comics:

  • He doesn’t tell others they aren’t funny; comedy is subjective and everyone has off nights.
    • “You pray to God all of them (who don’t find you funny) don't show up that night.” (08:15)

• Keeping material original:

  • He doesn’t listen to other comics’ sets to avoid unconsciously recycling jokes.
    • “I don't physically write. I mentally write. So to keep my jokes pure, I don't listen to other comics.” (08:33)

• Growth in other comics:

  • Earthquake shouts out Jess Hilarious and DC Young Fly for their hard work and growth.
    • “They work at it.” (09:18)

The Art & Evolution of Stand-Up

• Storytelling and joke structure

  • Earthquake prefers quick punchlines over lengthy stories, believing attention spans—especially in Black audiences—demand it.
    • “Black people are impatient—if you go too long, the boos come out.” (09:55)
  • Jokes should be accessible, so someone can come in at any moment and enjoy the show.

• Relatability as the essence of comedy

  • Comedy comes from authentic experience that the audience can connect with.
    • “Relatability is the number one essential of being a comedian.” (18:35)

• On legend status and “grandfathering”

  • Some, like Eddie Murphy, are exceptions, having consciously retired from stand-up; others shouldn’t get passes if they’re not telling jokes anymore.
    • Quote: “You are what you are, not what you say you are. ... I'm in the joke-telling business.” (16:41)

• New media and platforms

  • Diversifying is good, but those who claim to be stand-up comics must continue live performing:
    • “If you're a singer, you must sing. ... If you're a boxer, you gotta fight.” (17:19)

Success Stories and Industry Transitions

• Dave Chappelle’s influence and cosign

  • Earthquake credits Chappelle for boosting his visibility (noting they go way back—Earthquake once hired Dave for gigs).
    • Quote: “I was always indebted to Dave because I hired him to come to my club when he wasn't Dave.” (25:45)

• Mentoring and giving back

  • Owned his own comedy club; gave stage to now-famous acts like Dave Chappelle, Kevin Hart, and Chris Rock.
  • Sees his work as part of a larger legacy.

• Upcoming sitcom “Steel Quake” (with Bill Burr as co-producer)

  • Premise: Earthquake, disillusioned by Hollywood, returns to D.C. to reopen his old comedy club, mixing fiction and real-life inspiration.
    • Offers opportunities for young, up-and-coming comedians to shine.
    • Quote: “I bring other comedians on, they, you know, come through and people that can play himself in my fictitious world…” (30:32)

• Admiration for success of others in comedy

  • Expresses genuine excitement for the rise of peers, stresses importance of celebrating their wins as proof that success is possible.
    • Quote: “You really salute them and you cheer for them, because that means it's possible. ... I never had envy.” (35:13)

Personal Philosophy and Business Lessons

• Relationship building and knowing the right partner

  • Met his wife years before rekindling during the pandemic; credits her for support and accountability.
    • “She always believed in me. ... Made a difference in my life.” (36:40)

• Advice on loyalty and running your business

  • Warns young comedians: Loyalty should not outweigh your best interests; reevaluate relationships regularly.
    • Quote (on Jamie Foxx’s method): “Every year he sits down ... and reevaluates everybody in their life, business wise.” (38:24)

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On relationship and success:
  “I was never gonna get the success that I got right now until I found her.” (03:52)

• On the philosophy of stand-up:
  “If you're going to say you're a comedian and fly that banner, be funny.” (05:29)
  “The shepherd has always must smell like the sheep.” (07:23)

• On stand-up longevity:
  “Comedians need to get their license renewed. Say you funny.” (05:45)

• On old legends:
  “You are what you are, not what you say you are.” (16:41)

• On relatability:
  “Relatability is the number one essential of being a comedian.” (18:35)

• On loyalty and growth:
  “Loyalty doesn't mean that they believe in you. And loyalty, as you get closer to your goals, get compromised.” (38:24)

---

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [02:35] – Earthquake enters; wedding & personal life discussion
• [05:29] – New special “Joke Telling Business” & the need for comedians to renew licenses
• [07:23] – The importance of staying “with the people” for comedy relatability
• [09:43] – Long-form stand-up vs. punchy style, audience engagement insights
• [12:13] – Material in the new special: addressing substance abuse in white communities, drawing social contrasts
• [14:21] – Shooting the new special while sick (“my Michael Jordan flu game”)
• [16:41] – Grandfathered comedians vs. working comics, the job of a stand-up
• [18:35] – Critique on Kevin Hart, relatability, and writing
• [24:24] – On comedy’s social role: “medicine and applesauce” analogy
• [25:41] – Dave Chappelle’s support and Earthquake’s club legacy
• [29:42] – Sitcom announcement: premise and Bill Burr partnership
• [35:13] – Cheering other comedians’ success, importance of humility and respect
• [38:24] – Business advice: evaluating loyalty and partnerships

---

Episode’s Tone & Energy

The episode is candid, comedic, and philosophical, with Earthquake’s storytelling driving both laughter and wisdom. The hosts blend light-hearted banter and respect for Earthquake’s perspective, keeping the conversation authentic and engaging for listeners.

---

Takeaways

• At the core of comedy is relatability, authenticity, and the continuous pursuit of being truly funny.
• Personal relationships, especially the right life partner, are transformative both personally and professionally.
• Legacy in entertainment is as much about giving back as it is about personal acclaim.
• Constant self-assessment—in business, relationships, and creative craft—is crucial to lasting success.

---

For aspiring comedians and fans of stand-up, this interview is rich with humor, industry insights, and hard-earned life lessons.

Transcript

[A]

This is an I heart podcast. I'm Hunter, host of Hunting for Answers on the Black Effect Podcast Network. Join me every weekday as I share bite sized stories of missing and murdered black women and girls in America. Stories like Erica Hunt, a young mother vanished without a trace after a family gathering on 4th of July weekend 2016. No goodbyes, no clues, just gone. Listen to Hunting for Answers every weekday on the Black Effect Podcast Network. IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. In early 1988, federal agents raced to track down the gang they suspect of importing millions of dollars worth of heroin into New York from Asia.

[B]

We had 30 agents ready to go with it, shotguns and rifles, and you name it.

[A]

Five, six white people pushed me in the car. I'm going, what the hell?

[B]

Basically your stay at home moms were picking up these large amounts of heroin. All you gotta do is receive the package. Don't have to open it, just accept it. She was very upset, crying. Once I saw the gun, I tried to take his hand and I saw.

[A]

The flash of light. Listen to the Chinatown sting on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or anywhere you get your podcasts. It may look different, but native culture is alive. My name is Nicole Garcia and on Burn Sage Burned Bridges, we aim to explore that culture.

[C]

Somewhere along the way, it turned into this full fledged award winning comic shop.

[A]

That's Dr. Lee Francis IV who opened the first native comic book shop. Explore his story along with many other native stories on the show Burn Sage, Burn Bridges. Listen to Burn Sage Burn bridges on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[B]

The Internet is something we make, not.

[A]

Just something that happens to us. I'm Bridget Todd, host of the tech and culture podcast. There are no girls on the Internet. In our new season, I'm talking to people like Anil Dash, an OG entrepreneur and writer who refuses to be cynical about the Internet.

[B]

I love tech.

[C]

You know, I've been a nerd my.

[A]

Whole life, but it does have to be for something like, it's not just for its own sake. It's an inspiring story that focuses on people as the core building blocks of the Internet. Listen, no girls on the Internet, on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast.

[B]

Hold up.

[C]

Every day I wake up.

[B]

Wake your ass up. The Breakfast Club. Morning, everybody. It's DJ Envy. Just hilarious.

[C]

Charlemagne the guy.

[B]

We are the Breakfast Club. We got a special guest in the building. La Rosa is here with us as.

[C]

Well, special guest in the building, comedian Earthquake.

[B]

How you doing?

[A]

Good morning, Bab.

[B]

Well, thank you for having me. It's always honored to be here with y', all, man.

[C]

Congratulations.

[B]

You just got married recently? Yes, sir. Bobby Brown.

[A]

Johnny Gill at the wedding, man. How much this wagon cost?

[B]

About 450,000.

[C]

Earthquake got it. That's light change. Earthquake make that in the weekend. He make that in the weekend. That's light for Earthquake.

[B]

You know, it was my day. Not just my wife. She didn't want to have big weddings. She wanted to do a destination. I was like, nah, I want everybody to hear what you tell me. So I want proof, you know what I mean? And it was my day. It was a beautiful day. All my friends was there, all the comedians was there, and it was beautiful. It was. It. It was everything I dreamed of. My day.

[C]

What made you want to finally, you.

[B]

Know, settle down, the right one? I. I always looked for. I mean, I've always believed in quality over quantity. Only reason I had quantity, because I didn't have quality. So until I found that person and it was it. I never. My man who was never based upon how many women I've been with or that type of thing. I'm not down like that. I was always new. I used to say in my jokes all the time, people like, why ain't you made it? And I said, cause I'm one good black woman for making it. And I always knew that, you know, I was never gonna get the success that I got right now until I found her. You know, I listened to you. The foundation, you have to have that. And you said, and I always was searching. I just could not find that partner, you know, and you know, you know, is you look for Ms. Right, not Ms. Right Now. And then. Nothing wrong with them. My past women, they just wasn't my woman. They wasn't right for me. And I don't settle.

[C]

So you just gave a great ball for anybody out there that's a hoe. Because you said the only reason I was after I had so much quantity is because I couldn't find quality.

[B]

Exactly.

[C]

Next time anybody out there get called a hoe, use that line, okay? That's a great line.

[B]

Yeah, it's the truth. I mean, because this is non profitable. I mean, there's nothing in it.

[C]

If you.

[A]

That was a good one, too.

[B]

I mean, but really, if you. If you really think about it, if you break it down, it's. The situation is, for any man, if you don't love her, you're just sleeping with It. It's just for a feeling. So I have other things that give me just as much satisfaction of that feeling than being with a woman. That's right. So you get what I'm saying? So it didn't feel that void that it was looking for until I found her.

[C]

And Johnny. One of your best friends?

[B]

One of my best friend, jg. People don't know. He's one of the funniest dude out. I bring him on my show sometime and we've been friends for many years.

[C]

How'd that happen?

[B]

Well, he is from D.C. and, you know, I followed him a lot of times, and then I actually got to meet him at a club and we kicked it off from there and we've been friends ever since.

[C]

That's dope.

[B]

Yeah. My man right there. He's my man. That's my man.

[A]

Got the new comedy special.

[B]

Comedy special. Drop today. Joke telling business. Because that's what I am in. I'm. I'm really to tell comedians it's time to be funny. If you're going to say you're a comedian and fly that banner, be funny. You know what I mean? Or take the banner down, you know, this is what we do. And I thought it was up to me at being in this game is I'm in the joke telling business. So all the other stuff y' all talking about, the people that want to be pronouncators, Nostradamus, selling what the future is and all this other stuff, if you're gonna say you're a comedian, you need to tell jokes and be funny. And all these comedians still riding on their previous, you know, loans and stuff on it. I think just like a driver's license, comedians need to get their license renewed. Say you funny. You know, drop something to say you steal a comic. You can't steal. You say, I used to be on Def J and Comic and all that, you know, you come on, it's time for you to renew your license to say you funny. If you going to fly under the banner of being a comedian, say what you ain't or say what you are. But you can't be us unless you be funny. And I want to say you was funny Saturday night.

[A]

Thank you.

[B]

It was a pleasure being with you in Indianapolis and I seen you grown and keep doing your thing, you know, Keep doing your thing.

[C]

Expound on that, though. What's the biggest difference between being funny and being a professional comedian who understands this is actually a business?

[B]

Well, a lot of people fall off. And she'll tell you you have to. Once you get to that plateau of being funny and among your peers, the consistency of being funny, you have to regenerate and come up with new material and stay at that level. You know what's funny, and you have to work at it. I mean, I have nothing against Internet comedians or nothing, but you cannot escape from hitting that stage, getting on there, putting that work in, putting new stuff in. And I tell, you know, my wife all the time, she said, why are you at the clubs and hanging it up in place? I said, you know, the shepherd has always must smell like the sheep. People who we get our money from does not live the standard of living that I live at. So I have to go down here and be down here so I can interpret what's funny from that perspective and talk to the people, because where I'm at, they would not relate. And then they'll say I'm out of touch. So I have to be around the people and be in the Walmarts and be at Marshalls, get an irregular shirt. I have to feel it on here so I can relate to the people that allows you to sit here and have massages three times a week. That is so important.

[A]

Have you ever had to tell a comedian, like, as OG like, you're not funny anymore, you should go do that?

[B]

No, I don't do that, because jokes are subjective. You know what's funny to me? Not my funny, nobody else. That's why I tell all comedians, you know, no matter who you are, somebody gonna find out, find that you're not funny. You just pray to God all of them don't show up that night. You know, you just pray to God they don't come there to see you that night. Then you get booed. Now you listen to Jessa set.

[C]

So you listen to other comedian sets.

[B]

To see what they're talking about. No, I, I. Because, see, I don't. I don't physically write. I mentally write. So to keep my jokes pure, I don't listen to other comics, so it don't, you know, be contaminated. I think I came of it because I heard it, because I don't physically write. But what I do do is for the people that are my. And I want to see their growth. I take time out and come see. And she's one of those people that I say, let me see it. Because I seen her in the beginning. I know how she got in the game. And. And, you know, people that's been in the game, like I've been as a veteran, holds it against Them. And I said, I don't care how you got into it, do you work at it? Her DC young fly. They work at it. And for the end man, I have nothing but respect for them.

[C]

They on the road every weekend. Just on the road every weekend. D.C. on the road every weekend.

[B]

Yeah, they work at it. But people could be on the road every weekend. Suck.

[A]

That is true. You know what I'm saying?

[B]

There's some people around here bombing every day. You think they in God. So they dropping so many bombs.

[C]

Do you feel like the art.

[B]

Do.

[C]

You feel like the heart of the long form stand up set is under threat? Or does it make your, your style of storytelling even more valuable?

[B]

I think, to be honest with you, quality, I mean, I. The elongated of getting to the punchline for me get to the punchline. I, I feel certain comedians have a lot of, you know, nuts because they, they have a long segue before they get to the punchline. And I always thought if that don't work, you in trouble. Because black people are impatient when you, you sitting in front of black audience, you go that long and they sit in that chair and then they rock the one way and they rock the other way and then they look over to the other person and they look over to acknowledge you suck. Then the booze come. But if you hit them just continues and have multiple set, multiple subjects that mean anytime that they come into the show, they can pick up right there. They don't have to see you in the beginning for you to have the call back and everything. That's just my philosophy on it. I want you to be train that anytime you get on it, you can ride, you know, wherever you'll stop. You just walked in late or you was mad at your girl. And okay, I'm at a comedy show because see, we need your undivided attention. So whatever you're going through, I must go through that and get it. So if you argue with your woman all the way through and you mad at her, I need to have a joke. Once you come around and realize you in a comedy club, you can enjoy at that point. Did your mom really date Marvin Gay? Yeah.

[C]

Did you really say I wish Marvin Gaye was my daddy?

[A]

Not my real daddy?

[B]

Yeah, damn. I mean, cuz I wanted to come up. She couldn't trap them. I heard he was on drugs. She slipping. I mean, come on, mama.

[C]

She told you that how you.

[B]

Yeah, I mean she used to always tell who my mama the man. My mother was that chick, man, she, she dated a lot of different dude, and I just didn't understand how my father got her. Cuz he. He ain't had none of those qualities.

[C]

Damn.

[B]

You understand? But he funded her. So she. I get it now as a man.

[C]

So you knew your mama was like out there.

[B]

No, she wasn't.

[C]

Jesus Christ.

[B]

She's a worldly woman. She want to see the world. Some people we in New York, some people never leave the Bronx, you understand? Never leave New York. He didn't say it. I love trying to make my man. It's the kind of guy you know is going to come. I got one with me. Nick Jabane, he going to hit that. We call him Sniper. You know, he's just going, you know, get it to your face. You just take it. You know what I mean? I got you. I got you.

[C]

What kind of truth did you tap into with this new special? You know what I really want to ask? What's something you tapped into that you may not have tapped into 10 or 15 years ago?

[B]

Oh, I really don't go like that. I just interpret and then I put it together and then I line it up. Which one? I think these are the ones that I want to do. That's the funniest. That will carry on. So more than anything, just the perspective of our Caucasian friends out here, you know, the Portland part, when I just went up there and in Seattle to see struggling white people getting caught with, you know, back in the day, like New Jack City, just laying on the ground with fentanyl. I mean, you could tell they had a good mother and father. And they just laying there and I'm just stepping over them like, look at God. I mean, it's just.

[C]

Jesus.

[B]

No, I'm just like. I just thought it happened to us. It was like white version of New Jack City. I was like, it happened to us. And to actually have a white dude ask me for some money, I was like, no, you could be anything. Damn. Damn, you could be anything. All you need to. I mean, everything is in your image, you know, you got everything. All you need to do is take a shower and put a suit on and you'll be my supervisor by tomorrow.

[C]

That's why I was shocked when Trump said the. You want to send the National Guard to Portland?

[B]

Yeah, well, you know, he wants to do what he want to do. You know, he debo in the country, so everybody better tuck their chain because no matter who you are, you just. He ain't playing and ain't nobody holding against him. And to the point that he actually just letting you know that I'm used to judicial system to go after my political opponents. And there's nothing wrong with it. And it's amazing to me that these people just put themselves in pretzels to justify what he's doing. So as black people, we've been through this before. So you know, you got to navigate and just we the best, I mean, pure paralegals in the world. When somebody get locked up, a brother like how to get them, you know what I'm saying? So I can make sure I don't do it. Yeah, I don't do it. We the first one. We first want to know. I get it. You know, what's the charge now?

[A]

You got so much material, like from the beginning, like you said about Aretha Franklin funeral. The beginning all the way till now. Right. Is this comedy special longer than the last one?

[B]

Yeah, I put 45 in them this time. And I call it the flu game because you know how it is. People don't know. And I see Charlemagne come to work sometimes. We be under the weather, but you know, you can't, you know, I'm not Dave Chappelle Cat or one of them. They can go to Netflix and say, man, I'm not feeling good. Let's shoot this tomorrow. I have to, I have to go there. So I, I had a respiratory effect when I had a sinus during the whole time and I pushed on. Oh, man. So you just, you've been there before. You know how it is. You see comedians, they be on the stage, they had a hot chocolate or they hot tea and everything on there and we get into it. So I'm the most proud of it that it came at that particular point. And I still, I came off. That's why I call it my Michael Jordan flu game. Still put up 40.

[C]

You know what else is too? I like what you said about, you know, how comedians got to renew their license. Right. But are some people just grandfathered in and what I mean by that, like somebody like Eddie Murphy, right? Like Eddie ain't put out a special in forever.

[B]

Well, he grandfathered in, but he also gave up the banner of being Sandy a stand up comic, because he did not want to. He knew what the standard takes for him to maintain it and he bowed out with Steve did the same thing. You have surfing. They give it up on it and for them, they will always be on my mouse Rushmore of their own. I'm talking about comedians. That's right here. And they're number one claim to fame as being a stand up comedian. They not doing, telling no jokes. You understand? Eddie Murphy doing movies, tv, animation. Then sit there he didn't gave that up. And he appreciated, appreciated the John to where it was at to give it enough that it deserved the utmost respect. And I can't give it to it go in the club. What his process is to be up to that level, to get up there. He gave that up. I don't have what it takes to be at that level to get a respect for me to stand on that stage amongst all the rest of comedians. So for that you applaud, but you don't. What you do have to do is stop giving all these other comedians all these fanfare and giving them all this answer and ain't telling no goddamn jokes. Tell them be what they are with the title you are what you are not what you say you are. So that's why I'm named. I Earthquake is in the joke telling business. That's what I do. So we have nothing else to talk about unless it got something to do with jokes.

[C]

What if you telling jokes on your podcast or on Tick Tock or in Instagram clips.

[B]

Well, you, you is. But if you say you a stand up comic, you have to sit here and do what? I don't have no problem with anybody diversifying from the, from it. But you must stay with the job description of it. Yeah. You know what I'm saying? What I mean, if it, if it bans you out to do books and TV and all that, great. That's just show how diversified we are in the talent that we are. But you must stay. You know, if you're a singer, you must sing. You know what I'm saying? You know what I mean? If you, if you're a boxer, you gotta fight.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

That's all, that's all I'm saying. You got too many comedians in my humble opinion, that's not being funny. And sometime people such as yourself gotta ask them where's the jokes?

[A]

Yeah, is it hard to do that? Is it hard?

[C]

I agree with you.

[B]

I agree.

[C]

Where's the jokes?

[B]

Where the jokes at? Just, just where the jokes. That's all I ask. Tell the jokes. And you got to. Somebody have to stand up and say even nothing. You know, for my profession, my John not to stand up for. Because I love it. It's been, it has been like the baseball. Very. For me. I have, I have always given back. I own my own comedy club, have my own number one show on series that's called Quake House that I bring comedians that nobody hear about. That we sit around and talk about to give them. I give back to the John Deere on the point of it because I love it so much and I think it. But we have too many people now that just not sticking with the job description. And somebody got to tell them at some point, man, be funny.

[A]

I was gonna ask is it hard once you start diversifying and everything else gets big and then you can't get on stage and do what you used to do? Like Kevin Hart is still on stage, but people come for him because he doesn't joke or talk about certain things. But he's still funny, he's still a comedian. But people try to take that away from him because he's not. They feel like he's not as raw about certain things.

[B]

Well, you gotta understand his constituents that first of all, comedians make fun of the experiences that they go through. Kevin hart is the 1% of 1% so his experiences does not goes along with the other 99. So what he has to do is have fire writers that experience that and they give it to him and he looks it over. I have no problem with that. Evil sit there and be funny on it. He's being funny. He's still giving back to the John dub, stand up. So I have no problem with that. You know, you can't expect him to talk about his life. Oh man. I went there and the jet was late and do you know, they didn't have what I asked. I said I wanted flat water. Just came here, they got $10, I'm on private jet. Flat water. Relatability is the number one essential of being a comedian. And very people can relate to his life because he has such a privileged life. So what's funny to him is not going to be funny to 99 of the people because they don't experience what he's going through. Damn.

[C]

Have you. He did have that. He. He talked about being on the private jet on his last special when he had to go to the George Floyd funeral. That was funny.

[B]

Okay. I mean you can, but the relatability is the key to it because you have to sit here and allow them. That's why I said previously a shepherd must always smell like the sheep. You have to put yourself in that situation or somebody tell you what the sheep is going through and let you know so you can be relatable to the audience that you asking that money to come see you because the comedy is relatable, they need to see that experience or have the imagination of seeing you in that scene of that situation.

[A]

Do you think stand up? Life's messy. We're talking spills, stains, pets and kids. But with Annabe, you never have to stress about messes again. @washablesofas.com Discover Anabe Sofas, the only fully machine washable sofas inside and out, starting at just $699. Made with liquid and stain resistant fabric fabrics, that means fewer stains and more peace of mind. Designed for real life, our sofas feature changeable fabric covers allowing you to refresh your style anytime. Need flexibility? Our modular design lets you rearrange your sofa effortlessly. Perfect for cozy apartments or spacious homes. Plus, they're earth friendly and built to last. That's why over 200,000 happy customers have made the switch. Upgrade your space today. Visit washablesofas.com now and bring home a sofa made for life. That's washablesofas.com offers are subject to change and certain restrictions may apply. I'm Hunter, host of Hunting for Answers on the Black Effect Podcast Network. Join me every weekday as I share bite sized stories of missing and murdered Black women and girls in America. There are several ways we can all do better at protecting Black women. My contribution is shining a light on our missing sisters and amplifying their disregarded stories. Stories like Tameka Anderson. As she drove toward Galvez, she was in contact with several people talking on the phone as she made her way to what should have been a routine transaction. But Tameka never bought the car and she never returned home that day. One Podcast, One Mission Save Our Girls Join the search as we explore the chilling cases of missing and murdered Black women and girls. Listen to Hunting for Answers every weekday on the Black Effect Podcast Network, iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. In early 1988, federal agents raced to track down the gang they suspect of importing millions of dollars worth of heroin into New York from Asia.

[B]

We had 30 agents ready to go with shotguns and rifles and you name it.

[A]

But what they find is not what they expected.

[B]

Basically, your stay at home moms were picking up these large amounts of heroin. They go, is this your daughter? I said, yes. They go, oh, you may not see her for like 25 years.

[A]

Caught between a federal investigation and the violent gang who recruited them, the women must decide who they're willing to protect and who they dare to betray.

[B]

Once I saw the gun, I tried to take his hand and I saw.

[A]

The flash of light. Listen to the Chinatown sting on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or anywhere you get Your podcasts. It may look different, but Native culture is very alive. My name is Nicole Garcia, and on Burn Sage, Burn Bridges, we aim to explore that culture. It was a huge honor to become a television writer because it does feel oddly, like very traditional. It feels like Bob Dylan going electric, that this is something we've been doing for, like, hundreds of years. You carry with you a sense of purpose and confidence. That's Sierra Teller Ornelas, who, with Rutherford Falls, became the first Native showrunner in television history. On the podcast Burn Sage, Burn Bridges, we explore her story along with other Native stories, such as the creation of the first Native Comic Con or the importance of reservation basketball. Every day, Native people are striving to keep traditions alive while navigating the modern world, influencing and bringing our culture into the mainstream. Listen to Burn Sage, Burn bridges on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Today still has the essence that it had back in the day.

[B]

I think it's hotter now because. No, because we're. We're important. We're. You see what happened to Jimmy Kimmel. We have always been the third eye of society. We have always been the one that said truth to power. We was always the one from your Richard Pryor, George Clark. And we in those terms, we in them turn. We in them times. Now, I think strong comedians stand there, such as your deals, and the rest of them are doing that. They're articulating from the point, and people want to hear it. And. And I look at it as the same way you give medicine to a baby. You know, you put a little applesauce in the front of the spoon and you put the medicine behind. And that's what comedian do. We put the joke in there and we put the information in, and we put it in their mouth so they can get healed. That's how we do it. You know what I mean? And it's very important. And I commend every comedian that's out there that's standing on ten toes down, there's, you know, speaking power, truth to power, and that's what we do.

[C]

You've been. You've been around for a long time. Earthquake. You always been like, you know, comedians, favorite comedians.

[B]

Right, Right.

[C]

But Dave Chappelle pushed for your. I don't want to call it a resurgence, but he pushed you in, like, a different spotlight with the Netflix situation. But now you got your own lane. So how do you balance gratitude for that? Cosign. But also making people see Earthquake as his own brand and not Just somebody Dave picked.

[B]

I don't get caught up in that. You know, I just do me and I collaborate with anybody. I don't, I don't have to be the clothes on the show. I don't have to be in. I standing by you. If, if it's perceived that you're hotter than me, don't kill my shine. I, I don't get caught up into those speculative things, you know, it's just another thing. I collaborate with anybody that want to collaborate with me. Like I, you know, I watch our show. That lady said. It's true. When you get to this point in my life, the two most valuable possession you have is your time and your energy. If the time is good and your energy is good, then, you know, and the money. Right. Quake there every night. We, we in there. You know what I mean? So I don't get caught up. I will be always indebted to Dave, but I was always indebted to it because I hired him to come to my club when he was, when he wasn't Dave. You know what I'm saying? So it's, it's, it's, it's, it's, it's petty. I'm from dc. We, we, we don't, we don't with pettiness. You can't send me news clippings and expect me to support it. I don't do news clipping, man. You have to get on that stage and do what you do. And no matter who gets on there, Quaker's gonna do what he do and let the chip stand with his days. That first, last, middle and the whole time and whatever I do. Have nothing to do what you got to do.

[C]

What's one comedian. Oh, real quick. That, what do you say? That's so powerful, man. You had a club back in the day.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

You used to put Dave on stage.

[B]

Yes. All of them. Kevin Hart, Chris Tucker, Chris Rock. Every comedian that's walking here that's hot right now. At one time I hired them for.

[C]

My club and they, and they all speak highly of you and not a damn position.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

Like, oh, go get quick.

[B]

Yeah. And then they do that. Yeah, they put it on, they do it to it. And. But you gotta understand, like I'm just. But thank God I have my own sitcom that's coming. Yeah, we produce it and everything and we, you know, and it's a blessing on here and there's so many people I want to put down. That's good people, but it's only for so many slots and then I can't jeopardize my slot for the overall trying to help everybody.

[C]

Right.

[B]

Whether it can help up the whole production. So I have to sit back and say I want to help everybody. But I still have a team to come in and say that person is better. That person is better. Because something of nothing leaves nothing. So I got to get something. And then when I get something then I can bring you in when it's something. But trying to bring you in before is something. We both gonna end up being nothing outside the Fox studio on the streets.

[C]

So how did that come about? I remember you had to deal with Paramount, right?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I had CBS deal, had a Warner Brothers deal, had a ABC deal. I had on this one came together. The network president is Nik, his name is Michael Thorne. Came to me with my manager and said they're making a change in Fox. They want to go back to the original when Married with Children and live in color was that. And they want to go to multi camera to TVs. I mean to sitcoms. And they wanted me to be on the air and they wanted me to be me. They didn't want me to water down for me. Water me down. They said they felt which I feel you able to say what everybody thinking in the right way. They're not offended. And I want you on my air. And so now we're in the process of trying to find my Larry David like if you know he's the executive Dabooster was on Steinfeld, my writer, my showrunner. You had your own, you know, that's the most important thing and most important. And I've been interviewing for the last two months trying to find the right person that capsulate that I feel that can and I think we're close right now. And the bird thing is a great thing because he had a first look deal with Fox, Bill Burr did and he wanted to produce my show since it was and I said it's a great combination between the two because I love his comedy and we're gonna branch both of my comedy, my mindsets and his mindset and put it in the fictitious world that I navigate through.

[C]

What's the premise of the show?

[B]

Congratulations.

[C]

What's the premise of the show?

[B]

Premise of the show. I got frustrated with being in D. I'm in Los Angeles because I never thought they was going to give me a shot. And me and my fiance moves back to my hometown in Washington D.C. to rebuy my old comedy club up and I own my own comedy club in Washington D.C. you know what I mean.

[C]

It was based on a true story.

[B]

True story. But then I made it, you know what I'm saying? You know, I just got frustrated with sitting there and the fires was the reason why. That was a sign from God. My house got burned down, but might as well just go, this is it. Take this money and this locked money I got for my house and I could live balling in D.C. compared to LA and it's time to go home. And my fiance and we moved back and I bought my own comedy club where I started at and it's called Steel Quake.

[C]

I'm still sound like a winning winner.

[B]

It do, yeah. And you know, I bring other comedians on, they, you know, come through and people that can play himself in my. In my fictitious world without, you know, he's singing this. He's actually in town stopping by. Dave is at the dead at the big venue performing. And he stopped by the comedy club what we do and come by and I have all my friends on. And it also give again young comedians chance to be on TV in their normal selves, being themselves in the club so they could show the world that they too have talent such as I do.

[C]

Man, I hope you have much success quick. I hope you have a. A Ms. Pat style run.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

You think about how Ms. Pat was trying to get that show on forever and she finally got it on. It's loosely based on her life and she on what, season five now.

[B]

Yeah, look at God. Yeah, it's, it's, it's a beautiful thing. And you, you sit back and you're like, all right, this is it. Now that I promoted everything for the, for my special, it's time to just knock down and just concentrate on getting ready to be on tv.

[A]

Amazing.

[B]

I was gonna ask, you know, earlier you were talking about, you touch the stage, you're not worried about any other.

[C]

Comedian, you do what you do and wherever, however the chips fall. Has there ever been a comedian that surprised the ish out of you that you. You got one day and you'd be.

[B]

Like, damn, I ain't know he was this funny. Has that been a comedian like that? Well, I will say this. I never estimate any comedian because you know, one more because like, you take an honest j. Very energetic comedian, so when you go behind him, you can't play around because he's already got the people up, the crowd hype up and you go up there, hello, how you doing? You in trouble. So I never under miss what I do. What has always caught me off guard because I didn't is the sudden. The transition from a comedian you don't know. And the next thing you know, they. They blew up. I didn't see this cover. I'm like, God damn. Yeah. Where was I at? You know, you just wake up in the morning. The. In arenas. The. Let me. Let me go back and you look at it. Ain't no special jokes in here. What is this over success pill this folk. You know what I mean? You just be you. Like, he went from nobody to 20,000 people. And you. It was just six days ago he was over here at the open mic. How so that amazed me more than anything. But it just let me know how, you know, you can go. It can happen. How fertile this game is that you can walk on there and literally a comedian is the only person that could actually go to la, get on stage, a producer could see him do his seven minutes, say, I want to do a show about you. Then write a show, put a producer and get a show. And then they come out here in arenas. Now, has that ever happened back in the day?

[A]

Because that's.

[B]

That happens now. I never seen. I mean, all the time. Like, I never. I never seen. I. I didn't see the upcoming of none of the hot comedians that we. Was that none of them back in the day? No, I didn't see none of them.

[A]

Even at your club, like Kevin and all of them.

[B]

No, I never seen none of it before Kevin.

[A]

I'm talking about his era.

[B]

Yeah. No, we kept him about the same. None of them.

[C]

But now you used to see. Because it used to be like, you know, you'd be on bet, Comic View, you'd be on Death Comedy Jams. And you go out to a lot of people.

[B]

A lot of people do that, but it doesn't translate. Of 20,000 people. You know, when Cat was doing 20,000 people, two shows on a Tuesday.

[C]

But we saw the build up, though, you understand, when Kev was here, Caroline's doing eight shows, four days. Like we saw the build up.

[B]

Yeah, but see, when we are headliners, we don't maintain other people's ticket counts because we're working that same day. So I don't know what he doing in Carolina. Cause I'm in Augusta, Georgia. You know what I'm saying? I'm doing seven. And I done sold out nine shows and ten shows in place. But it ain't quantified or equal to Madison Square Garden selling. You're like, God damn.

[C]

I've seen two up close and personal. I saw Kevin Hart and Andrew Schultz. Up close and personal.

[B]

Yeah, I didn't see none of that.

[C]

Like, I saw, I saw every step from high school gyms with Kevin, like doing homecomings to, you know, Caroline's, to just building up, building up to get the guy.

[B]

I didn't see none of them. But see, you, you know, you got your pulse on the community and everything too, so you more in depth of it. But I, from a comedy standpoint, I'll be like, God damn. And you, you see the residue of it because be calling you. You want to open up certain people. I ain't open up the. I ain't open up for this man what he and where on a Tuesday.

[C]

Damn, God damn.

[B]

You know, you like, you know, you don't hate. You just like, oh, God. Yeah. And really, and I tell all comedians, man, you really salute them and you cheer for them because that means it's possible. And if you see it's possible, that means you can do it. You get what I'm saying? So I never had envy. It was just more surprising that I never seen coming. And it also tells everybody else, be careful how you treat everybody because you never know when they don't become the man. And a lot of people, you know, it on other different people and turn around now end up, you know, kissing and licking their boots and like that, you know.

[C]

Is it true you met your fiance because you made a donation?

[B]

No.

[C]

Go fund me or something?

[B]

No, I met my fiance eight years before we hooked back up. I tried to get on, you know, one night stand. She turned me down, like alone. So you know what I mean? She said she ain't that type. So, you know, just, you know, going through my phone when I see her picture again and, you know, you just hit up, what's up, big head? And yeah, invited to a show. She came and we kicked it. And then covet hit and then we just started kicking. We ain't had nowhere to go. And it's the most concentrated time I ever been with any woman because wasn't no outside interest. And that's the rest of the world was getting, you know, socially distanced from people and I was getting closer to her and I knew she was the right one when I we could coexist without doing anything. You know, I'm saying she was there and she wasn't there. She didn't invade my space, but she was there and it was. And she always believed in me. You know what I mean? She was always encouraging me, you should be doing more of this and you can't do this. You're doing this the most way. And it made a difference in my life. And as from that point on, that's why you see me having, in my humble opinion, having a sitcom down and things are going well and everything. And hold me accountable if you say you're gonna have this counterproductive doing that.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And people always come to me and say, you know, you know, what do women, when you get to this point financially, what women have to bring to the table. And I said, my woman, what she brings to the table, she assembles the table, she tells me what's at the table. Do I got too many chairs at the table? Do I need to move a chair to a table? Do I don't have enough chairs on the table? What chair's been on there too long, you know, so when you have that female perspective, only she can give from a loving point. It's essential when you're dealing at the higher level. And I have always missed it, that aspect of it. And it's making a difference now.

[C]

So what's the story about that our producer says how much you gave a large donation to her.

[B]

No, I don't know. We got that. We getting all that we wanted down a donation for our foundation that we helping the, the fires in, in la. We did that in lieu of gifts at the wedding. We took in donations because we had enough and we didn't want another toaster and stuff like that. We don't need that.

[C]

So listen, what's the one piece of business advice you think young comics miss?

[B]

I can tell you what I can miss. I would tell them what one I would do different. Loyalty is not me is loyalty doesn't mean that they believe in you. And loyalty, as you get closer to your goals, get compromised. You know what I mean? You know what I mean? So if I, if I was them, I will take a lesson from Jamie Foxx. And Jamie says the first of the year, every year he sits down with his sister or his family and reevaluates everybody in their life, business wise. And I will give that suggestions because if anything hindered a lot of my career was being loyal to people that wasn't meant to be in my life in the first place. But you feel, since you just feel a sense of obligation that was there and you know, they need this and everything. You know what I'm saying?

[C]

She backing the dancing in the back, but she ready to dance.

[B]

Five, four, three.

[C]

I think you need to reevaluate now.

[B]

Don't worry. Gotta pull one away. You know what I mean, you see what I'm saying? My wife be like that. Yeah, we know what chair we need to leave. You know too many chairs at the table. That's how it is.

[C]

Listen joke telling business out right now. Netflix definitely go check it out.

[B]

And we appreciate you for joining us and congratulations on.

[A]

Congratulations on the sitcom coming.

[B]

And you promise that you'll come read for the show.

[A]

Already know.

[B]

You understand I already know. Come on in there. I surely. Because I will make sure that you get a call. I look forward to it.

[A]

Thank you.

[B]

And as always man, my brother man what I'll tell you're beautiful. And of course my light skinned brother. That's right. Y' all be cool and thank y' all for having me. Also this is my son's. I had to wear my son's outfit right here. His clothing lines Toxic University and I'm wearing his and make sure I give him a shout out.

[A]

Toxic University.

[B]

Toxic University. He's doing well. His own clothing line. I tell people you have to invest into your kids activities or you would choose to fund their activities or they bail money. Pick which one you want to do Toxic University. You know what I mean? Either or. And I believe in them. So Toxic University on the whole time.

[A]

Love you Quake.

[B]

Thank you. I love you. Earthquake. It's the Breakfast Club.

[C]

Good morning.

[B]

Wake that ass up early in the morning. The Breakfast Club Foreign.

[A]

I'm Hunter, host of Hunting for Answers on the Black Effect Podcast Network. Join me every weekday as I share bite sized stories of missing and murdered black women and girls in America. Stories like Erica Hunt, a young mother vanished without a trace after a family gathering on 4th of July weekend 2016. No goodbyes, no clues, just gone. Listen to Hunting for Answers every weekday on the Black Effect Podcast Network, iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts. In early 1988, federal agents raced to track down the gang they suspect of importing millions of dollars worth of heroin into New York from Asia.

[B]

Had 30 agents ready to go with it. Shotguns and rifles and you name it.

[A]

Five, six white people pushed me in the car. I'm going, what the hell?

[B]

Basically your stay at home moms were picking up these large amounts of heroin. All you gotta do is receive the package. Don't have to open it, just accept it. She was very upset, crying. Once I saw the gun, I tried to take his hand and I saw.

[A]

The flash of light. Listen to the Chinatown sting on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or anywhere you get your podcasts. It may look different, but native culture is alive. My name is Nicole Garcia and on Burn Sage, Burn Bridges we aim to explore that culture.

[C]

Somewhere along the way, it turned into this full fledged award winning comic shop.

[A]

That's Dr. Lee Francis IV who opened the first native comic book shop. Explore his story along with many other native stories on the show. Burn Sage, Burn Bridges. Listen to Burn Sage, Burn bridges on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[B]

The Internet is something we make, not.

[A]

Just something that happens to us. I'm Bridget Todd, host of the Tech and culture podcast There Are no Girls on the Internet. In our new season, I'm talking to people like Anil Dash, an OG entrepreneur and writer who refuses to be cynical about the Internet.

[B]

I love tech, you know, I've been.

[A]

A nerd my whole life, but it does have to be for something like. It's not just for its own sake. It's an inspiring story that focuses on people as the core building blocks of the Internet. Listen to There are no Girls on the Internet on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcast, or wherever you get your podcast. This is an iHeart podcast.